Texas bill could deny transgender wrestler title defense

by JIM VERTUNO, AP Sports Writer

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2017, file photo, Euless Trinity's Mack Beggs is announced as the winner of a semifinal match after Beggs pinned Grand Prairie's Kailyn Clay during the finals of the UIL Region 2-6A wrestling tournament at Allen High School in Allen, Texas. When Texas transgender wrestler Mack Beggs won a girls’ state championship, his victory drew jeers and complaints that his steroid therapy treatment had given him an unfair advantage against girls who risked injury just by getting on the mat with him, Now state lawmakers are pushing a bill that could deny Beggs, a Dallas area-junior, a chance to defend his title. (Nathan Hunsinger/The Dallas Morning News via AP, File)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —

Texas state lawmakers are considering a bill that could disqualify transgender athletes if their hormone therapy endangers opponents.

The move comes less than three months after transgender wrestler Mack Beggs won a Texas girls' state championship. Critics said his steroid therapy treatment gave him an unfair advantage against girls who risked injury to wrestle him.

Beggs wants to wrestle next year, when he will be a senior.

Under NCAA rules, athletes transitioning from female to male are allowed to compete on men's teams while taking testosterone, but can't compete on women's teams. Beggs wanted to wrestle against boys, but was barred from doing so because Texas requires athletes to compete against the gender listed on their birth certificates.